A Note from Ms. Tully

Well, I survived my first two days.

Not that they were really anything to survive.. but can you say overwhelming? Because I feel like that's all I've said for the past 24 hours.

People at Cristo Rey are amazing, let's start there. SO welcoming, warm, and supportive! I have a lot to do before Monday, like A LOT, but they are giving me lesson plans, books, classroom management techniques, DVDs... they couldn't be more helpful. I really like everyone here, and it's a fun staff to be a part of. They even made the blood-born pathogen training we had to do today a lot of fun.

I'm actually still at school! And yes, it is 5 PM Texas time. We have the senior mass this evening called the Cross of Constantine mass, which I'm really looking forward to being at! The seniors will receive their blazers that they can wear as a part of their uniforms, as well as special crosses for being a part of the first graduating class of CRJ. It's supposed to be a beautiful mass.

Today was a lot of planning on my part, since classes start Monday! I just finished my first syllabus ever, with a lot of borrowing from two of my other English Department members. Hopefully I'll have the syllabi for the two classes I'm teaching finished by the time I go home tonight, so I can make copies of them tomorrow to give to my new students! Then there will be lesson plans on lesson plans on lesson plans... yikes! My goal is to have my first week planned out, and then I can work ahead.. I have a ton of prep time during the day, which is great! Thanks, student work schedules!

What can I say? I love this. I love it here. Even though I'm the most overwhelmed, nervous, and clueless, I am SO excited about it. I get to teach, work with campus ministry, and help the seniors with the college process in a supportive learning environment for both myself and my students. AND, as my colleague Justin pointed out to me today, I am working for social justice every single day.




Did I mention that I'm happy? And my community is really great. I made dinner last night, and then we watched 7th Heaven on DVD and laughed a whole lot. I'll post pictures of my very own desk and classroom space once I get everything up. Maybe by next June.